The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-12-07
Diphtheria.
HOW To PREVENT THE DtsEAsE-CIRCULAR
FROM THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

When so much diphthera prevails in
several sections of the state the suggestions
of the State Board of Health given below
will be received with special interest. There
is no human habitation so occupied for any
length of time that would not be more or
less improved in its sanitary condition by
thorough fumigation by the burning of sui
phur, later followed by the burning of
coffee. Let the work begin in the cellar.
Diphtheria is contagious and infectious
disease, attacking persons of all ages, but
affecting children much more frequently
than it does adults. 1t may be communi-
Gated from the sick to the well by means of
persons. cups, or other articles which pass
from mouth to mouth, or through the
medium Of the air, or it may be spread by
means of clothing. So generally is diph-
liberia regarded as due to sanitary condi-
tons that by common consent it is classed
among the filthy Diseases; and when we
find it arising, apparently independently of
sources of infection, spontaneously, as it
would seem, we may be pretty sure that
something is wrong in the health conditions
of the home where it is found. The I'M
sanitary conditions which seem to give rise
to dphtheria may be in the direction of
the food or water supply; the well may be
too near the privy or cess-pool, or sink
drain, or barn-yard, and be polluted by soak
age through the filthy soil, or the something
wrong may be in the direction of the air
supply; the Sleeping-rooms and living rooms
are perhaps not ventilated and the air is re-
breathed and poisoned, or wet and foul
cellar is under the house, or sewer gas goes
into the rooms from defective water-closets
or other fixtures, or from sink drains, or
privies or cess-pools. When diphtheria has
once arisen the law of simple contagion
carries it to the rich and the poor, to the
clearly and the uncleanly, but not to all
alike. Filth invites disease and gives its
,ala
develop into pestilence; but cleanliness
offers only barren ground for their develop
ment. Diphtheria is preventable disease.
Proper preventable measures are almost in
variably followed by the limitation of the
disease to the first case or cases. When
diphtheria gets away from the primary cases
and makes its escape upon the community
somebody is to blame. The sooner we ac-
cept this as a sanitary maxim the sooner
we shall begin to do our duty as individuals
and communities.
PREVENTION.
" When a child or young person has a
sore throat, and with it considerable fever,
and especially if the breath has bad odor,
he should Immediately be kept separate
from all other persons except necessary at
PENDANTS, until 1t is ascertained whether or
not he has diphtheria. Keep away from the
sources of the contagion. Do not go where
the disease is If you can help it; and above
all, do not let your children go where it is.
If you do visit case, battle yourself, change
and disinfeCt your clothing before you go
where there is a child. From the dwelling
and its vicinity Danish all sources of filth,
whether of the ground, of the water or of
the air. The ground under and around the
house If not naturally dry should be
thoroughly and deeply drained. Diphtheria
does not come from far through the air,
therefore do not shut up your house tightly,
thinking thereby to shut out the disease.
By so doing you shut in the poison of re-
breathed air, which paves the way and
makes it easy for the poison of diphtheria
TO be taken. All influences which cause
sore Threats probably tend to promote the
taking and spreading of this disease. Hence
avoid exposure to wind and to hreathing
cold, dry air. Also avoid any article of food
or drink which tends to make the throat
raw or tender. Do not wear or handle
clothing worn by a person during sickness
or convalescence from diphtheria. Beware
of any person who has a sore throat. DO
not kiss or take the breath of such person.
Do not drink from the same cup or put any
thing of his to the mouth. Be sure that the
drinking water and the milk are pure.
RESTRICTION.
AS soon as it is found that person has
diphtheria he should Immediately be sep
arated from the rest of the family and put
| into sunny and well-ventilated room,
preferably on the upper floor and as discon-
nected as possible from the other rooms, es-
pecially the living and sleeping-rooms OF
children Before moving the patient into
the room, all needless articles, such as car
pets, contents of wardrobes, etc, which
| could catch infection should be removed
No other person beside the nurse or neces
sary attendants and the physician should be
permitted in the room, and they should take
| special precautions not to carry the infec
ton. Their communication with the rest Of
of the family should be as restricted as pos
sible. Plain and distinct notices should bt
placed upon the premises or house in which
there is sick person with diphtheria Tn,
selectmen or health officer should immedi
ately be notified, and should cooperate witt
the physician to keep the disease from
spreading. Children and parents from othe
houses should be warned, and if they need
lessly and obstinately persist in coming they
should be driven away. Neither the nurse
nor any other person should eat or drinl
anything in the sick-room or anything which